Learn, Observe, and Contribute

Instructor presenting a lecture on sea turtle ecology and conservation during the Sea Turtle Monitoring course at Black Turtle Conservation, Koh Tao, Thailand.
Green sea turtle swimming near the surface during the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course at Black Turtle Conservation, Koh Tao, Thailand.
Marine conservation student documenting a sea turtle during an underwater monitoring session in Koh Tao, Thailand.

Join us for a day dedicated to learning about sea turtles — their ecology, behavior, and the conservation challenges they face.

This hands-on experience combines a lecture with a guided snorkel survey, giving you the chance to learn and also contribute to real monitoring projects around Koh Tao.

Sea turtles are among the ocean’s most fascinating and vulnerable creatures.

During this course, you’ll learn about their biology, migration patterns, and the threats they face — and then head to the water to see them in their natural habitat.

What you’ll learn:

  • Sea turtle biology, behavior, and ecological importance.
  • Identification techniques for different sea turtle species.
  • Conservation threats such as pollution, fishing, and habitat loss.
  • How to record sightings and submit data to local and global monitoring networks.

This course is perfect for:

  • Anyone interested in marine life and ocean conservation.
  • Snorkelers and divers who want to contribute to real research.
  • Families, beginners, or eco-conscious travelers looking for an inspiring marine experience.
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WHY THIS COURSE MATTERS

All seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered — and your participation helps us monitor and protect them.

By collecting and submitting data, you become part of a global network of citizen scientists supporting long-term sea turtle conservation.

Through this course, you’ll:

  • Learn how to identify sea turtles and assess their behavior.
  • Understand the human impacts affecting turtle populations.
  • Gain the tools to contribute valuable data to scientific research.

Whether this is your first conservation experience or one of many, you’ll leave inspired — and ready to take action for the ocean.

price

6,000 THB

DURATION

1 day

classes

1 class

DIVES

1 snorkel

CERTIFICATION

Conservation Diver

LEVEL REQUIRED

None
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* Not a diver yet? No problem! You can start your journey by learning to dive with us.
Our PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses are the perfect first step before joining our marine conservation programs.

START WITH A DIVING COURSE

Course Overview

Sea turtles are some of the ocean’s oldest and most graceful creatures — powerful swimmers that have journeyed through our seas for over 100 million years. Sadly, all seven species are now listed as threatened or endangered, facing challenges from pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.

This course invites you to step into their world — not just to admire them, but to understand their story and become part of their protection. Through a mix of engaging theory and an unforgettable snorkel survey, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to identify turtles, recognize threats, and contribute to real monitoring initiatives.

Day 1
Morning 07:00
09:00 Study time/e-Learning
Lunch
Afternoon 13:00 Sea Turtle Lecture
15:00 Sea Turtle Survey - Snorkel
Evening 17:00 Debrief

* Please note that the following schedule is indicative and may vary.
* Exact times for each session and dive will be confirmed before the course begins.

Classroom Session

We’ll start the afternoon with an engaging presentation on sea turtle ecology, covering anatomy, feeding habits, nesting behavior, and global migration routes.

You’ll also learn about the major threats turtles face and the role of local conservation efforts in their protection.

Field Session (Snorkel Survey)

After the presentation, we’ll head to one of Koh Tao’s most famous turtle hotspots — such as Shark Bay or Sai Nuan — for a guided snorkel survey.

You’ll practice turtle identification techniques, observe behavior in the wild, and record data that supports ongoing research and conservation initiatives.

After the snorkel, we’ll review your sightings and discuss how to upload your data to international citizen science databases.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures and know exactly how to contribute to their protection, wherever your next ocean adventure takes you.

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Price:
6000 ฿
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Includes:
  • Conservation Diver E-Learning
  • 1 class
  • 1 Guided snorkel survey
  • Conservation Diver Certification
  • Snorkel equipment & dive computer
  • Dive insurance

Testimonials

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Timon Renggli profile picture
Timon Renggli
4 days ago
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Amazing diving experience! I felt comfortable and safe throughout. The team's passion for diving and the underwater world really shines through, and they do a fantastic job of sharing that enthusiasm with others. A special shout-out to Rhi. She the best
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paul Mitchell profile picture
paul Mitchell
5 days ago
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Done my advanced open water with Claire and then onto conservation specialist course and some fun dives mixed in, team all fantastic thanks especially to Claire, CJ, Cass, Kelly, Seth, Maisie, Tereza and Hayley. Had a few issues with infections but the team was so accommodating rearranging for when I was fit to get back in water. I hope to be back one day.
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Arthur Le Goff profile picture
Arthur Le Goff
8 days ago
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Amazing time diving with them! Very professional and fun diving experience. Came to do my Open Water certification and ended up also doing Advance OW and Nitrox. My instructor was Teddy, great teaching skills, French speaking and funny! Thank you guys for this super experience!
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Jules Bernard profile picture
Jules Bernard
8 days ago
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Expérience exceptionnelle avec Naïm qui m’a donné envie de passer mon open water, un moniteur superbe, à l’écoute et pédagogue qui est interessant à écoute et donne envie d’en apprendre d’avantage sur la vie marine, je recommande fortement !
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maxime ruiz y romero profile picture
maxime ruiz y romero
9 days ago
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Merci à Claire pour sa patience, son professionnalisme et sa gentillesse! Je vous recommande fortement Claire pour votre première initiation à la plongée!
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Alannah Pardy profile picture
Alannah Pardy
10 days ago
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We recently did our dive with our mentor called Joonas, we were beginner divers and found the experience amazing. 10/10 for all staff in black turtle but Joonas definitely boosted our confidence for further dives and made the whole experience magical 🤙🏻🐠 will definitely be recommending this company to friends
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Joel profile picture
Joel
11 days ago
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I did my open diver and my Advanced here and had an awesome experience. My Guide Rhi was super nice and explained everything nice and clear. Can only recommend this Diving school to everyone
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goiuri alvarez profile picture
goiuri alvarez
11 days ago
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Mery is an amazing instructor! She taught the whole course in perfect Spanish, and from day one, she made me feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the water. She was always patient, supportive, and made sure I was enjoying every step of the experience. You can really tell how passionate she is about diving, and that makes all the difference. Thanks to her, I didn’t just learn how to dive, I fell in love with it! I couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. Grazie di cuore, Mary! ❤️👌🏻🤙🏻
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Dhruv Vador profile picture
Dhruv Vador
13 days ago
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Amazing Open Water Scuba Diving experience! 🌊🤿 Coach Sam and Chloe were fantastic instructors who taught us so well and made the entire experience fun, comfortable, and unforgettable! 🐠💙
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Dhriti Vador profile picture
Dhriti Vador
13 days ago
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Our instructor sam was very good
Hawksbill sea turtle feeding on coral reef sponges during a marine conservation dive at Black Turtle Conservation, Koh Tao, Thailand.

Keep Learning

Loved your experience with the turtles?
Continue your marine conservation journey with our other short courses:

 Marine Plastics: Monitoring & Assessment: Learn to identify, collect, and record marine debris.
Coral Watch: Discover how to monitor coral bleaching and reef health using a simple citizen science method.
Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP): Take the next step into scientific diving and marine research.

ECOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM

Prerequisites: AOW

The Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) introduces reef survey methods and scientific diving techniques. You’ll learn to assess fish, invertebrates, substrate, and coral health, and report your findings to an international database.

Coral Taxonomy & Identification

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP

Learn to identify coral species based on skeletal and anatomical characteristics, both on land and underwater.

This course builds essential skills for research, restoration, and monitoring projects.

NUDIBRANCH & SEA SLUG ECOLOGY

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP

Dive into the world of nudibranchs and sea slugs, key indicators of reef biodiversity and water quality. You’ll explore their taxonomy and ecology while participating in an ongoing research project at Black Turtle Conservation.

CORAL RESTORATION THEORY & TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP

Explore the science behind coral restoration.

You'll learn about restoration strategies, site selection, coral health assessment, and attachment methods.

ARTIFICIAL REEF THEORY & TECHNIQUES

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP + Coral Restoration

Artificial reefs help restore damaged habitats and provide alternative dive sites. You’ll explore the science behind their design and even create your own reef project as a classroom exercise.

CORAL PREDATORS: POPULATION MANAGEMENT & MONITORING

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP

Identify and monitor coral predators such as crown-of-thorns starfish and Drupella snails, and understand their impact on reef health.

This course teaches practical techniques for population control and long-term reef protection.

ADVANCED CORAL TAXONOMY

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP + Coral Taxonomy

Expand your coral identification skills by learning to recognize more challenging and rare genera.

This course deepens your knowledge of skeletal and anatomical traits, strengthening your abilities for advanced research and monitoring.

CORAL DISEASES & COMPROMISED HEALTH

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP + Coral Taxonomy

Discover how to identify and record common coral diseases and signs of stress in reef ecosystems.

This course equips you with the skills to assess reef health and contribute valuable data to monitoring efforts.

ADVANCED EMP

Prerequisites: AOW + EMP + Coral Taxonomy + Coral Disease + 3 Monitoring Courses

Gain experience using additional monitoring techniques, including quadrants, transects, and advanced survey methods. This course enhances your ability to collect accurate data and analyze long-term changes in reef ecosystems.

SEA TURTLE ECOLOGY & MONITORING

Learn about the ecology, behavior and threats facing sea turtles, all of which are endangered. Develop skills in turtle ID and data collection, allowing you to contribute to real conservation initiatives by recording sightings to support ongoing monitoring efforts in Koh Tao and internationally.

SHARK ECOLOGY & POPULATION STUDIES

Sharks play a crucial role as apex predators, yet many species are now critically endangered. Explore their evolution, anatomy, and ecological role. Learn population monitoring techniques and how to contribute to local and global shark databases to aid conservation efforts.

CORAL WATCH SPECIALITY

Learn how to assess coral health and contribute to a global monitoring effort using a powerful method developed by CoralWatch and supported by PADI AWARE. Gain insight into coral biology, bleaching, and climate change, while participating in real reef surveys.

PLASTIC POLLUTION: MONITORING & ASSESSMENT

Learn about the scale and impact of plastic pollution in the ocean. Gain hands-on experience monitoring microplastics and help protect reef ecosystems by removing macroplastics.

3 DAY PADI OPEN WATER DIVER

PADI ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER

PADI RESCUE DIVER + EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE (EFR)

Contact us

Grow Your Skills with Our Conservation Programs

All our marine conservation programs begin with the Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP), providing a solid foundation in scientific diving and hands-on conservation.

From there, you can continue learning through our carefully designed programs, which follow a progression we’ve developed to maximize learning and practical experience. Each course builds on the last, helping you develop your skills step by step while contributing to meaningful conservation projects.

Whether your goal is to specialize in coral restoration, turtle research, or broader reef monitoring, our programs guide you along a clear path, so you can grow as a marine conservationist while enjoying every step of the journey.

CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

  • EMP
  • Coral Taxonomy
  • Sea turtles
  • BTD Sea slugs

REEF SPECIALIST

  • Coral Restoration
  • Artificial Reefs
  • Coral Taxonomy III
  • BTC Marine Pollution

MASTER CONSERVATIONIST

  • Giant Clams
  • BTD Cleaning Stations
  • BTD Coral Predators
  • Sharks

SCIENTIFIC DIVER

  • Image J
  • Coral Disease
  • Advanced EMP

Learning Pathway

← Scroll horizontally to see full pathway →

courses

ANY LEVEL

Open to Divers & Non-Divers
  • Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring
  • Coral Watch Speciality
  • Shark Ecology & Population Studies
  • Plastic Pollution: Monitoring & Assessment

ADVANCED DIVERS

AOW Required
Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP)
  • Coral Taxonomy & Identification
    • Advanced Coral Taxonomy
    • Coral Disease Monitoring
  • Nudibranch & Sea Slug Ecology
  • Coral Restoration Theory & Techniques
    • Artificial Reefs Theory
  • Coral Predators Monitoring & Mgmt
Advanced
EMP

programs

ANY LEVEL

Open to Divers & Non-Divers
3 days

CITIZEN SCIENCE

  • Coral Watch Speciality
  • Citizen Science Initiatives
  • Marine Ecology

This infographic shows the progression of the different marine conservation courses and programs we offer at Black Turtle Conservation.

Developed in collaboration with Conservation Diver, PADI AWARE, and our own in-house certifications, these courses and programs provide hands-on opportunities to learn, dive, and actively contribute to real conservation and research efforts.

ADVANCED DIVERS

AOW Required
1 week

CORE CONSERVATIONIST

  • EMP
  • Coral Taxonomy I
2 weeks

CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

  • EMP
  • Coral Taxonomy I & II
  • Sea Turtles
  • BTD Sea Slugs
+ 2 weeks

REEF SPECIALIST

  • Coral Restoration
  • Artificial Reefs
  • Coral Taxonomy III
  • BTD Marine Pollution
+ 2 weeks

MASTER CONSERVATIONIST

  • Giant Clams
  • BTD Cleaning Stations
  • BTD Coral Predators
  • Sharks
+ 2 weeks

SCIENTIFIC DIVER

  • Image J
  • Coral Disease
  • Advanced EMP

pro

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

Dive Master Required

RESEARCH
ASSISTANT

INSTRUCTOR
DEVELOPMENT
COURSE (IDC)

EMP
INSTRUCTOR

EMP

SPECIALITY
INSTRUCTOR

EMP + ≥5 courses

MASTER
INSTRUCTOR

EMP + ≥10 courses

INSTRUCTOR
TRAINER

← Scroll horizontally to see full pathway →
Contact us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course on Koh Tao?

The Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course is a 1-day marine conservation experience focused entirely on sea turtle identification, behavior, and conservation. You’ll learn how to recognize different sea turtle species, understand their ecological role, and join a guided snorkel around Koh Tao, one of the best places in Thailand to observe sea turtles in their natural environment.

Do I need to be a certified diver to join the Sea Turtle Ecology course?

No, you don’t need to be a scuba diver to take part in our sea turtle ecology course. This sea turtle conservation experience is open to all — divers and non-divers alike — and takes place while snorkeling, making it perfect for beginners or anyone passionate about marine life and sea turtle protection.

Where can I see sea turtles during the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course?

During the sea turtle ecology course, you’ll snorkel at one of Koh Tao’s top sea turtle habitats, such as Shark Bay or Sai Nuan. These sites are home to green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, which you can often see grazing on algae or resting among corals. Our conservation instructors will guide you on how to observe sea turtles safely and responsibly.

What will I learn in the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course?

In the sea turtle ecology course, you’ll learn to:

  • Identify sea turtle species commonly found in Thailand
  • Understand sea turtle migration, feeding, and nesting behavior
  • Recognize the main threats to sea turtles, such as pollution, boat traffic, and habitat loss
  • Record sea turtle data used in population monitoring projects around Koh Tao

By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in sea turtle ecology and know how to support their conservation wherever you travel.

How long does the Sea Turtle Ecology course take?

The Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course is completed in one day and includes e-learning, and a theory presentation on sea turtle ecology followed by a guided snorkel survey. It’s a short, inspiring experience designed to connect you deeply with sea turtles and their environment.

What is the price of the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course on Koh Tao?

The Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course costs 6,000 THB and includes:

  • Sea turtle ecology theory session
  • Guided sea turtle snorkel survey
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Conservation Diver certification
  • E-learning

Everything you need for an unforgettable sea turtle experience in Koh Tao.

What certification will I receive after the Sea Turtle Ecology course?

Upon completion of the Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring course, you’ll receive the Conservation Diver Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring Certification, recognized worldwide. This certification shows your understanding of sea turtle biology and conservation, and it’s a great step toward more advanced marine research programs.

Can I include the Sea Turtle Ecology course in a longer marine conservation program?

Absolutely! The Sea Turtle Ecology & Population Studies course is one of our most popular marine conservation modules, and many students choose to combine it with other 1-day conservation courses like Coral Watch, Shark Ecology, or Marine Plastics Monitoring to deepen their understanding of the reef ecosystem.

If you’re already an Advanced Open Water diver, you can also add this course to our Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) or join the Conservation Specialist Program, where the Sea Turtle Ecology course is already integrated into the curriculum.

It’s a great way to connect different areas of marine science — from corals and sharks to plastics and turtles — and build a more complete picture of ocean conservation while gaining multiple Conservation Diver certifications.

What should I bring to the Sea Turtle Ecology course?

Just bring your swimsuit, towel, and curiosity about sea turtles! We provide all snorkeling equipment, and insurance. If you have a camera or GoPro, you’re welcome to bring it to capture your sea turtle encounters — just remember to always prioritize the turtles’ well-being.

Why take the Sea Turtle Ecology course on Koh Tao, Thailand?

Koh Tao is famous for its resident sea turtle populations and offers some of the best sea turtle encounters in Thailand. By joining this course, you’ll not only learn to identify and understand these incredible animals but also contribute to real sea turtle conservation projects that help protect them and their habitat.

Still have questions?

contact us